Here are five critical questions for USC in its quest to win a BCS title this season.Link here.

USC’s thoughts turn to the season-opener against Hawaii. Link here.

Freshman tight end Junior Pomee, playing on the scout team, scored on a 60-yard pass from walk-on quarterback John Manoogian in today’s mock game.
“(He is) extremely inconsistent, up and down and he’s been that way since he’s been here,” Lane Kiffin said. “It’s good to see him make plays. He has a long ways to go.”

Not really a scrimmage today but a mock game so the stats favored the offense without tackling.

Passing

Matt Barkley 8-12, 140 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT
Matt Wittek 5-7 101 yards, 1 TD
Cody Kessler 12-15, 129 yards, 2 TDs

Receiving

Robert Woods 4-116, 1 TD
Marqise Lee 6-96, 1 TD

INTs

Ryan Dillard
Anthony Brown
Hayes Pullard (for TD)

Quarterback Matt Barkley, center Khaled Holmes, safety T.J. McDonald and cornerback Nickell Robey were named team captains. Barkley is the first three-time captain.

Here’s an expanded look at the stars and strugglers of training camp. Link here.

In today’s earlier post, I would also add wide receiver De’von Flournoy, who deserves the No. 3 spot in the rotation.

Lane Kiffin said cornerback Isiah Wiley, who started six games last season, is ineligible. Sources said Wiley did not pass a summer class. As previously reported, linebacker Marquis Simmons did pass his summer class and is eligible.

I heard USC was planning on unveiling cardinal and gold cleats this season and fullback Soma Vainuku unveiled this picture on twitter. It’s the latest way for Lane Kiffin to find a way to compete with Oregon following last year’s failed attempt at an alternate uniform and addition of black socks.
One question is why he feels the need to worry about Oregon. Last time I checked the Ducks did not have the nation’s No. 1-ranked recruiting class.

Who were the winners of training camp?
1. OT Max Tuerk: Could start if necessary at left tackle.
2. LB Hayes Pullard: Demonstrated he could start at middle or outside linebacker.
3. DT Leonard Williams: Talent gets him on field despite inexperience.
4. TB Silas Redd: Lateral moves add something unseen to running game.

And then some struggled

1. LB Lamar Dawson: Hurt most of camp.
2. WR Darreus Rogers: Not cleared by NCAA.
3. The other tailbacks: Did not do anything wrong but Redd’s arrival lessen roles.
4. Coach Lane Kiffin: Dishonest answer on coaches’ poll vote did not help national reputation.